Tag: blue circle

Just in time for the holidays, November is National Diabetes Month. Who cares? You might. According to the National Diabetes Education Program:

Approx. 26 million Americans have diabetes.

An additional 79 million adults in the US have prediabetes.

The total direct medical cost of diagnosed diabetes in 2012 was $176 billion.

Two diabetes awareness campaigns caught my attention this year:

Lee Ann Thill created the World Diabetes Day Postcard Exchange to "promote healing through creativity, connection and activism." Participants in the Exchange send and receive handmade postcards that incorporate the blue circle (the international symbol of diabetes) in their design. Great idea - I'm mailing my cards today.

The Big Blue Test is designed to help people notice the impact of small changes. Through November 14, for every 10 Big Blue Test results that are logged, Diabetes Hands Foundation grants $5 to support people with diabetes.You don't have to have diabetes to participate, and the benefits of exercise are yours to keep. Here's what to do:

I've been logging my big-blue data since the start of the campaign. Each time, my blood glucose has dropped 20-30 points following 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise. Plus, I use 15% less basal insulin for the ensuing 4 hours.
That's some solid motivation right there.